Airline traffic in Romania grew by 31% between 2006 and 2008

Between 2006 and 2008, airline traffic on the local market increased by 31% according to a study of the management consulting company A.T. Kearney, which analyzed 9 airports in Romania.

In 2007, airline traffic registered the highest growth in the last three years, by 33%, while in 2008 the airline local market increased by 22%.

According to the study, Bucharest provides 75% of the local traffic passengers, namely 6.7 mil. individuals in 2008, but behind airports from neighboring countries such as Prague – 12.6 mil. passengers, Warsaw – 9.4 mil. passengers and Budapest – 8.4 mil. passengers.

Further, the airports in Romania are characterized by low interconnection level within the regional infrastructure.

In 2008, Henri Coanda Otopeni International Airport reported EUR 17.7 mil. revenues from rents and handling services, but also revenues generated from advertising, accounting for 22% of the total revenues, according to a study carried out by A.T. Kearney company.

Non-aviation activities generated most of revenues for smaller airports. Therefore, 87% of the revenues of Mihail Kolgalniceanu Airport were generated from non-aviation activities, while Stefan Cel Mare Airport in Suceava registered 75% of the revenues from non-aviation segment.

The airport providing the fewest services is Arad, while Targu Mures Airport provides all type of additional services, rent a car, travel agency, information office, exchange office and drugstore.

The nine airports included in the study are Arad Airport, Aurel Vlaicu, Henri Coanda Otopeni Airport, Cluj-Napoca Airport, Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta Airport, Sibiu Airport, Stefan cel Mare Suceava Airport, Transilvania Airport and Traian Vuia Airport.

Sursa: Daily Business [09.11.2009], Wall-Street [10.11.2009], Ziarul Financiar [10.11.2009]